UNTOUCHED ASPECTS OF MUSICIANS

Preface

Music is that fine art in which we express our feelings through voice and rhythm. There are five arts in the category of fine arts-music, poetry, painting, sculpture and architecture. Human feelings are expressed in them, but the medium varies in each. If feelings are expressed through colour, pencil, and paper etc. then painting is created. Similarly, if feelings are expressed through voice and rhythm then music is created.

Music is considered the best among fine arts. It has also been associated with Gods and Goddesses. There is a legend that Brahma first taught music to Goddess Sarasvati and She taught it to Narada. After this, Narada taught the same to Bharata who propagated it among the common people through Natya Shastra. Seven main legends of this type are famous in the origin of music. These legends may have been important in ancient times, but they do not have much importance in today’s scientific age. The legends reminded me of how musicians must have practised in the olden times to perfect their voice. Some were so great that their singing would lit lamps or cause rains. Even deers returned when the artist sang Raga Mrig Ranjini. According to another fable, an angry elephant also calmed down. There is a story that when, Baiju Bawra sang Raga Malkauns so

powerfully that a rock in front of him melted and then he dipped his tanpura in the waxy liquid which solidified as soon as he stopped singing. Tansen had to melt the stone through some suitable and powerful raga and retrieve Baiju’s precious tanpura.

It is said that there were no rains in Surat during the monsoon in the year 1948. Senior citizens of Surat remember a similar situation arising in the same year. A miracle had happened. Pt. Omkar Nath Thakur Ji lived in Surat then. The people of the city gathered and requested him to sing the raga of Megh Malhar as they believed in the power of his voice. A stage was erected outside city – in the fort grounds. Thousands of people gathered to hear his performance. Pandit Omkar Nath Ji, along with his companions, mesmerized all the listeners with their singing. For three days, the city was drenched in the voice of Pandit ji. On the third day, drizzle started in the evening

There are many more such stories, if we pay attention to them, then we feel that something must have happened. By reading the Ramayana, we come to know that King Dashrath had shot a Shabd Vedhi Baan, due to which Shravan Kumar died. According to scientific facts, we know that sound waves flow in the atmosphere and probably due to this, King Dashrath’s arrow hit Shravan Kumar; the deer came running due to Baiju’s music Or the lamps were lit due to Tansen’s singing. All these stories/fables are a subject of research. When a bird in the forest gets into trouble, it makes a strange sound. Hearing it, all the nearby birds come and the same sound can be heard in the entire environment.

As I mentioned above, all these stories/fables are a subject of deep research. I thought why shouldn’t I try this. Moreover, I came to know that research work has not been done on this subject yet, therefore here are my efforts.

Encouraged by this, I started collecting material. In the process I found that the same is not enough for research work, and I should stop this work. But in the collected material, I found some interesting facts about Indian classical musicians which were untouched or less popularly known. A lot has already been written about their contribution to Indian music. Therefore, there was some disappointment, but inspired by the inner self, I decided to publish this collection; (little edited). As a result, I was able to dare to do so. As you immerse yourself in these pages, you will find journeys that reveal the hidden facets of legendary figures whose music continues to inspire and transform us. This is not just a recounting of their known achievements and hard work but a celebration of the unseen miracles that breathe life into their enduring legacy. Hopefully readers (May be with musical or non-musical background) will find it interesting and can have the information about the legendry musicians in this publication instead of searching separately on Websites.

While compiling the work there was a little confusion as how to arrange the same, whether the stalwarts with more fame and more popularity will find place in book ahead of others who were also equally of the same calibre. After a little though I have tried to arrange the artists in the book in the chronological order of their birth year. I have included only a few artists who are no more and were born till the year 1948 in this book. My efforts will continue in future also to let my readers know about more legendary musicians.

For completing this work, I am very grateful to Prof. Maya Rani Tak, Former Head and Dean, Department of Music, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, who encouraged and guided me from time to time in completing this work. I am also grateful to my daughter Dr. Mily Nautiyal who has helped me in designing the cover and getup of this collection. I will not forget to mention here about Amit, Shuchi, Naveen, my wife Mrs. Malti Sharma and all other family members who have encouraged and helped me in many ways in bringing out this collection.

I express my gratitude to Shri Madan Sachdeva Ji (Kanishka Publications, New Delhi) who has helped in bringing out this collection.

Last but not the least I am thankful to Shri Shyam Vidyarthi, Former Senior Director Doordarshan Kendra, Allahabad, who has written a foreword note for the Book.

Om Prakash Sharma